Production of interferon-gamma in the syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction.

Cocultures of nylon wool-separated, non-adherent (T enriched) mouse spleen cells with mitomycin C-treated adherent cells resulted in the production of antiviral activity in the culture supernatants. This antiviral activity was defined as interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) because of its lability at pH 2 and the susceptibility to inactivation by anti mouse IFN-gamma antibodies. Treatment of non-adherent cells with anti-Thy 1.2 or anti-Lyt 1.2 antibody plus complement abolished IFN production. In contrast, anti-Lyt 2.2 plus complement treatment had no effect on IFN production. Abrogation of IFN production was also seen when anti-Ia antibodies were added. IFN could be observed in the SMLR, regardless of the H-2 haplotype of the mouse strains with the exception of NZB mice. Addition of hydrophilic polymers such as polyethyleneglycol or DEAE-dextran enhanced IFN production.